Although a work of fiction, this religious thriller has been packed with so many true events that it will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. Even the backdrop of the Vietnam War and what happened to Nickolas and his fellow soldier...
Instead of nine, the group that stood waving goodbye to the villagers now numbered close to fifteen, including Haridas and several others from the village. This was all duly noted by a large monkey sitting on his haunches, wondering where they were going.
Since Haridas had insisted that Maria should wait until she had talked to her father, other than the fact that he was alive, Maria knew little more about him than she did a few days ago—except that a Khmer soldier had said that her father had performed some sort of marriage ceremony. The only way she was going to discover the truth about him was to be patient—something she accepted and understood. Still, it was not easy.
At first the column of people making their way down the trail was unorganized, Judy trying her best to keep up.
About a mile after leaving the village, Sutton called a halt. Since it was ingrained from both his training and nature, Sutton said that he wanted to stay up ahead with the two soldiers who were taking the lead. After they started moving again Blake could see that Judy and Maria were going to spend most of the day talking about the orphanage and cooking—just the cue he needed to excuse himself so that he could walk ahead and find Sutton.
"Oh Blake, just a minute before you leave. We were wondering if there are any wild elephants here, seeing how we areclimbing Elephant Mountain?"
Smiling—"Good question, ladies. I'm really not sure. But there must be because we saw a lot of them in Angkor Wat. Plus, remember that one temple with all the elephant carvings? Either way I feel we are safe. But if you see one be sure to take its picture."
"OK"—both Judy and Maria began to laugh. "Just teasing. Don't worry about us and I'll keep my camera handy. See you later." Once again Judy and Maria started laughing as Blake disappeared up ahead.
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Three Elephants, Angkor Wat/photo: Colin Payne
"Hey Blake, I see you left the ladies behind."
"Well, they're busy talking to each other and making friends. It seems like Judy and Maria have really stuck a mutual cord concerning the orphanage."
"Yeah, I noticed that, too. But you know, it doesn't surprise me. Those two gals are the best. Isn't it funny, Blake?"
"What's that, Major Sutton?"
"How long has it been? About four months? Remember? It seems just like yesterday—finding the bomber and then you finding that pile of rocks! What a twist of fate that was. Boy, was I ever confused when you said someone had survived the crash. I mean, there was no way, but who else could have left that flag for us to find? That's one for the books! Whew! What memories!"
Blake was lost in thought, too. "I know what you mean, Major Sutton. Finding that pile of rocks just standing there all those years, undisturbed. Almost like it was being protected by God just so we could find it. What was the chance of that—and I can still hear that metal detector squalling? How can we ever forget?"
